CENTAUREA TCHİHATCHEFFİİ Flower of Love

In most of the studies of C. tchihatcheffi, which struggles to survive in a very limited area in Ankara-Golbasi, primary attention has been paid to the importance of the plant in the flora of Turkey and its relationship with other plants. Figure 1

The height of the annual C. tchihatcheffii is 20 − 50 cm and the stem which carries a capitulum is perpendicular. (Figure 2) Figure 2. Two views of C. tchihatcheffii and flower structures in situ.

A woody tap root system is observed. Generally, the feathery leaves show differences according to the places in which they exist. Each capitulum in the plant is generally 20 – 25 × 10 – 15 mm. It bears pink, purple, bright red flowers. The involucre is 10 − 15 × 11 − 15 mm and has a broad campanulate shape. The length of the appendages which exist on the involucre is 1, mm and have white papillomas on their edges.

The pappus which is calix originated, is largely found on the point of the achene and is fawn coloured. It is 1 – 3 mm and is fleecy. The length of the achene is 3, 5 - 4(5) mm, and the hilum is very explicit (Figure 3). Figure 3. The achene type fruit of C. tchihatcheffii (A) Pappus (B) Hilum.

Anther tube is rose-purple. The peculiar form of the funnel- shaped marginal flowers with crenate margin is unique to this genus. The anther tube is provided with glands at the tip of the appendages, a character so far only known in this species. The flowering time is the end of April and beginning of May.

The necessary definitions have been made by analysing the anatomic features of the root, stem, leaves and seed shell of the species. It has been noticed that there is no natural threat that might prevent the permanency of the Centaurea population. It has also been determined that the most serious threats are the results of human activity, like corn cultivation, use of intense herbicides, intensive construction, the plant ‟ s potential as a decoration plant and uncontrolled plucking and sale as a cut flower

In fact, beautiful flower, Bern / protected by the Convention on the conservation of European Wildlife and natural habitats; the collection and sale is prohibited.